In December, President Barack H. Obama appointed Carl D. Newman, A.A.E., to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC). Newman is the Chief Executive Officer of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority and Chairman of the American Association of Airport Executives. His more than 30 years of experience in airport management and leadership – which includes having served as General Manager of George Bush Intercontinental Airport and as Assistant Aviation Director of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport – make him an ideal representative to the NIAC.

“It is an honor to be called on to serve our nation at the request of the President to represent our Jackson airports, my colleagues, members of the aviation industry and our community members who rely on safe, secure and efficient air transportation to support their businesses and grow the national economy,” Newman said. “As a member of the NIAC, my goal will be to offer my experience and knowledge to foster effective partnerships between the public and private sectors; and work to protect and enhance our nation’s critical aviation infrastructure.”

He continued, “It will be my privilege to support the NIAC Board, prepare reports and analysis and provide recommendations to the President, members of the United States Congress and other federal government entities with a role in protecting our critical infrastructure.”

The NIAC was established on October 16, 2001, by Executive Order 13231, for the purpose of providing the President, through the Secretary of Homeland Security, with advice on the security and resilience of the critical infrastructure sectors and their functional systems, physical assets and cyber networks.

NIAC Members are appointed by the President from the private sector’s senior executive leadership with responsibilities for the availability and reliability, including security and resilience, of critical infrastructure sectors.